Dr. Zuretti Goosby

Published 4:00 am, Friday, February 4, 2000

Dr. Zuretti Goosby, one of the leading figures in the desegregation of San Francisco's public schools and one of The City's most revered public servants, died Sunday of lung disease. He was 77.

Dr. Goosby, who had a successful dental practice in San Francisco as well as a long career of public service, was a champion of racial integration and an articulate voice for reason in The City's fractious desegregation wars.

Named to the San Francisco Board of Education by Mayor John Shelley in 1967, Dr. Goosby served on the board for 12 years, remaining a respected voice for desegregation and racial harmony while facing vigorous opposition by foes of school integration.

"He was head and shoulders above everyone, in essence practicing what we were teaching the kids," said UC-San Francisco Professor David Sanchez, who served on the board with Dr. Goosby.

Sanchez recalled one particularly tense and boisterous meeting at which more than 1,000 people squared off on the desegregation issue, including members of a racist neo-Nazi group. Although his supporters sought to block the neo-Nazis from speaking, Dr. Goosby calmly called for open dialogue. The neo-Nazis were heard, and largely ignored.

"I'm deeply saddened," Mayor Willie Brown, who appointed him to the War Memorial Board, said of Dr. Goosby's death. "This is a great loss. Dr. Goosby was one of the pioneers. He was part of our educational landscape in San Francisco."

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Dr. Goosby, who was known as "Zoo," became president of the school board in 1977 before leaving a year later to become a member of the Airport Commission. He also served on the Airport Museum Board, Human Rights Commission and the Exploratorium board.

Born and reared in Oakland, Dr. Goosby received degrees from UC-Berkeley and the UC-San Francisco dental school.

He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Jackieline; sons Zuretti Jr., of Eureka; Eric, of Maryland, and Kevin, of Davis; and a sister, Lula Reed, of Oakland.

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